How far can $8 billion go? Ask Amtrak

摘要

While Florida and California's high speed rail projects are getting the most attention in the media (probably because 200-mph passenger trains are considered a whole lot more exciting than those that operate at "only" 90 or 110 mph), they're actually receiving less than half of the $8 billion under President Obama's HSR iniative.rnYes, $3.5 billion is $3.5 billlion more than we've ever had for "true" high speed, but it represents a fraction of the cost of a full buildout for either project. Who's going to benefit from the remaining $4.5 billion (and probably a substantial portion of whatever additional funding may be available for high speed)?